Scan barcode
msklm's review
5.0
One of the best informational books I have read, and perhaps the single most applicable. Anyone who is anyone who needs to speak in life needs to read this book and/or get a lesson from this guy. I only read the first half of this book and am using it successfully already. It's great!
kcourts's review against another edition
3.0
Great tips for becoming a better communicator. I was most looking for help on my presentation skills and was not disappointed.
ksparks's review against another edition
3.0
This book is a really useful primer on how to give a good speech or presentation, and on what to say in a whole variety of awkward/difficult situations. I can't say I really liked this author--he's kind of disturbing in his spin-doctor ability to help anybody present anything well (how to sound truthful, steer the conversation the way you want to go, influence how others perceive you, practice your friendly face in the mirror, etc. Still, I learned a lot of useful tips from reading this book. And, having heard a lot of bad speeches and power point presentations in my life, I think a lot of people would benefit from reading this book.
keerthiabinesh's review against another edition
3.0
The book started off with a good opening and I started to lose interest as I reached the later parts of the book. It seemed to be a repetition of the same thing again and again. The seven principles and practice regularly are things that are my key takeaways from this book.
allisonplus's review against another edition
3.0
I mostly enjoyed this and picked up a few things to integrate into how I converse (especially in job interviews). The strategies and tips seem straight-forward but under-utilized out in the 'real world'. There were sections that felt a little unnecessarily gendered but that could speak to my disappointment that women often have to counteract sexism pre-emptively in certain ways to get other points across.
skjam's review
4.0
Disclaimer: I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway on the premise that I would review it. My copy was an uncorrected proof, and there will be changes in the final product.
Mr. McGowan begins the book with a story about how he learned an important lesson about communications skills by being punched in the face. Because if the person he was talking to had learned some of the skills taught in this book, they’d have had a better response than punching a reporter in the face on camera. No matter how obnoxious the reporter is.
In his work as a television reporter and producer for such shows as A Current Affair and CBS News, Mr. McGowan learned many valuable lessons about speech and nonverbal communication, which then served him well as a communication coach to celebrities, corporate managers and other people who needed a hand up.
This book covers most of the information he tells his clients, from preparing for speaking ahead of time, to making sure your most important material (and only your most important material) is front and center, to the best way to stand and place your hands during a speech. It doesn’t include the specific personal coaching he gets the big money for, but offers tips on how to spot your weaknesses yourself and overcome them.
Throughout, the writers tell stories from Mr. McGowan’s career, and from the media presentations of famous people, that illustrate the points. There are some illustrations in the section on body language and facial expressions (you can train to show the interest you actually feel, rather than a blank stare.)
I found the book well-organized and easy to read, with many helpful tips. It should be useful for a wide variety of people from job-seekers like myself to the person who’s suddenly called upon to say a few words at a wedding. There is a glossary, but no index was in the proof copy–it may be added for the published version.
I know that I have seen many examples in my own life of people who could use a bit more help with their verbal communication skills, and hope that some of them will find this volume.
Mr. McGowan begins the book with a story about how he learned an important lesson about communications skills by being punched in the face. Because if the person he was talking to had learned some of the skills taught in this book, they’d have had a better response than punching a reporter in the face on camera. No matter how obnoxious the reporter is.
In his work as a television reporter and producer for such shows as A Current Affair and CBS News, Mr. McGowan learned many valuable lessons about speech and nonverbal communication, which then served him well as a communication coach to celebrities, corporate managers and other people who needed a hand up.
This book covers most of the information he tells his clients, from preparing for speaking ahead of time, to making sure your most important material (and only your most important material) is front and center, to the best way to stand and place your hands during a speech. It doesn’t include the specific personal coaching he gets the big money for, but offers tips on how to spot your weaknesses yourself and overcome them.
Throughout, the writers tell stories from Mr. McGowan’s career, and from the media presentations of famous people, that illustrate the points. There are some illustrations in the section on body language and facial expressions (you can train to show the interest you actually feel, rather than a blank stare.)
I found the book well-organized and easy to read, with many helpful tips. It should be useful for a wide variety of people from job-seekers like myself to the person who’s suddenly called upon to say a few words at a wedding. There is a glossary, but no index was in the proof copy–it may be added for the published version.
I know that I have seen many examples in my own life of people who could use a bit more help with their verbal communication skills, and hope that some of them will find this volume.